[Bricked] Mecool KM1 with Amlogic S905X3 4/32GB

[asarat2020]

I got an Android TV Box inside a Mecool KM1 case with PCB identified as KM1 series, however, this came from Chinese Factory customization in order to purchase a larger quantity, then, this KM1 Box came with AOSP 9 instead of the Certified ATV as the original Mecool usually comes. But you will see how the PCB comes with the silk layer text identified as Mecool KM1.

Mecool KM1 Case (front view)

https://ibb.co/fC1hPTQ

Mecool KM1 Case (downside view)

https://ibb.co/dKB1yHB

Upside PCB View

https://ibb.co/BZwXxvk

Downside PCB View A

https://ibb.co/MBy42DG

Downside PCB View B

https://ibb.co/GFJdcz4

However, I saw here in this forum that somebody offers a customized firmware based on Mecool KM1 and Beelink boxes, and many other users have written the firmware ran and everything was OK, just a problem with Loud Audio.

So I downloaded all the files and followed the UBT process (install UBT, load the firmware and pressed the reset button on PCB, connected the USB A-A cable), then the Box was recognized and the flash process was done Success!!! (the software remarked)

But that was the 1st. Part, when I tried to connect the TV Box to TV (HDMI Cable and Power Cord to power it up) any Turn On light (in the front of the box) is getting.

And I was not able to run the UBT process again, since the TV Box got bricked. (not turning on at all, not led light)

After that, I tried with the TWRP recovery (burn any firmware in an SD and then insert the microSD in the TV Box, hold press the Reset Button, and connect both USB A-A cable and Power Cord, or just Power Cord according to different forums and youtube videos) but any result.

Now, I have found that 3rd., and the last try is to short circuit 2 pins on the PCB, but any video and forum shows the Nand Memory as my PCB have soldered (the majority of videos and forums shows a Nand where the pins are visible) because my PCB has an SMD Nand that apparently uses balling soldered process.

Many photos and videos show an alternative way where the PCB has identified 2 pins on PCB identified with 2 concentric circles printed on silk, and supposedly those can be connected while the reset button is pressed and the power cord is connected, but that part is not the same PCB.

The firmware creator was contacted by me, but he only knows about software, and since his firmware is working with his boxes and for other users there's not so much to do from that part.

I have written to Chinese Factory who provided the PCBs but from that side, only the process UBT and TWRP was mentioned, and they provided me the same firmware that came with the TV Box but the problem is that the TV Box is bricked and the goal is first to get the power-on indicator and be recognized by microSD or by PC in order to flash again.

I'm sharing the PCB photos with the hope that somebody has the knowledge and experience to solve a case like mine. Thank you...

Upside PCB View

https://ibb.co/BZwXxvk

Downside PCB View A

https://ibb.co/MBy42DG

Downside PCB View B

https://ibb.co/GFJdcz4

[freddy]

Hmmmmmm

Okay is brand new Box from March 2020 in Pics....
That is unfortunate Bricked already.....

Iam no expert so here are observations from Pics/images you Post

Upside PCB View

Directly below CPU S905X3 looks like SMD Nand /you can clearly see little triangle indicator for contact 1

Directly below the # 5 in S905X3 about half cm is resistor /maybe could bridge that?

Downside PCB View A

Lower Right area

Centered between 2 Ram Chips and to the left 1 cm..approx/are to copper colored circles/contact points..
They are not concentric /but could be what you posted about?

Downside PCB View B

In the center area of board are clearly marked/

GND
TX
RX
VCC 3.3

That is for sure contact points for U-art/serial communication with device

If you U-art adapter and can establish serial communication/put box in update mode inside u-boot /call for update mode/

Or UBT will recognize device now./can try to Flash Firmware.
You will have most success with Original Factory Firmware

These are observations only

Good Luck

Happy Testing

[asarat2020]

Hmmmmmm

Okay is brand new Box from March 2020 in Pics....
That is unfortunate Bricked already.....

Iam no expert so here are observations from Pics/images you Post

Upside PCB View

Directly below CPU S905X3 looks like SMD Nand /you can clearly see little triangle indicator for contact 1

Directly below the # 5 in S905X3 about half cm is resistor /maybe could bridge that?

Downside PCB View A

Lower Right area

Centered between 2 Ram Chips and to the left 1 cm..approx/are to copper colored circles/contact points..
They are not concentric /but could be what you posted about?

Downside PCB View B

In the center area of board are clearly marked/

GND
TX
RX
VCC 3.3

That is for sure contact points for U-art/serial communication with device

If you U-art adapter and can establish serial communication/put box in update mode inside u-boot /call for update mode/

Or UBT will recognize device now./can try to Flash Firmware.
You will have most success with Original Factory Firmware

These are observations only

Good Luck

Happy Testing

Hello Freddy,

I appreciate your help, and for sure that's a great help you provided me, because I may post the resolution on the issue I had.

Since, we are trying to build our own PCBA and to provide a better UI for users, not the boring AOSP that usually comes from chinese factories, and the lack of any unit sold in order to be relevant to Google and they provide us with LIcense to use the ATV or Google TV Launcher (we already applied for the Enterprise Partners but they denied the solicitude), we were forced to try with customized firmwares.

For sure the PureFusionATV customized firmware have very limitations about the many brands for Nand eMMC, Broadcom or Mediatek Wifi/Bluetooth modules, and many other parts that different factories use for their specific boards and budgets. And that's the reason, despite the firmware was customized for Amlogic S905X3, not all boards based on that SoC will work (that's the way it works).

Well, finally 2 weeks ago I got collaboration for one of our suppliers that currently are working with us (H96 Max boxes), and their engineers finally provided me the solution, and as you have shared in the reply, this are the Hard Reset contacts for 3 different TV Boxes, when the Nand/eMMC module doesn't have visible soldering contacts

TX3 TV Box

https://ibb.co/SmYTSMM

H96 Max

https://ibb.co/mJzSj8f

Mecool KM1

https://ibb.co/ZHW2t2t

I hope this answer may help somebody to solve his situation.

After I recovered the Mecool KM1 TV Box, I tried 2 different firmware, the first one was the original KM1 firmware, and the 2nd one was the SlimBox firmware, the only one that functions on the Board is the SlimBox project, the "original" gave an error when the 20% of flash was running since I got only the OTA version, not the UBT .img version.

That's the ongoing project.

Thanks.

[freddy]

You are most Welcome

And Thank you for sharing info/resolution.../from your project
I too hope it helps others

This builds great Community Here at Home Freak-Tab!!!!!!!!

Read
Research
Learn From Others
Pass on Knowledge
Help Others

Happy New Year

Keep on Testing!!!

[LinkTheHero]

Hello Freddy,

I appreciate your help, and for sure that's a great help you provided me, because I may post the resolution on the issue I had.

Since, we are trying to build our own PCBA and to provide a better UI for users, not the boring AOSP that usually comes from chinese factories, and the lack of any unit sold in order to be relevant to Google and they provide us with LIcense to use the ATV or Google TV Launcher (we already applied for the Enterprise Partners but they denied the solicitude), we were forced to try with customized firmwares.

For sure the PureFusionATV customized firmware have very limitations about the many brands for Nand eMMC, Broadcom or Mediatek Wifi/Bluetooth modules, and many other parts that different factories use for their specific boards and budgets. And that's the reason, despite the firmware was customized for Amlogic S905X3, not all boards based on that SoC will work (that's the way it works).

Well, finally 2 weeks ago I got collaboration for one of our suppliers that currently are working with us (H96 Max boxes), and their engineers finally provided me the solution, and as you have shared in the reply, this are the Hard Reset contacts for 3 different TV Boxes, when the Nand/eMMC module doesn't have visible soldering contacts

TX3 TV Box

https://ibb.co/SmYTSMM

H96 Max

https://ibb.co/mJzSj8f

Mecool KM1

https://ibb.co/ZHW2t2t

I hope this answer may help somebody to solve his situation.

After I recovered the Mecool KM1 TV Box, I tried 2 different firmware, the first one was the original KM1 firmware, and the 2nd one was the SlimBox firmware, the only one that functions on the Board is the SlimBox project, the "original" gave an error when the 20% of flash was running since I got only the OTA version, not the UBT .img version.

That's the ongoing project.

Thanks.

Hi friend, how do you perform the Hard Reset of the Km1 Deluxe? I have put a clip in the two points, with the tv box before turning it on, for more than a minute, I tried the same thing with the AML USB Burn Tool the same time but it does not recognize it, maybe I am doing something wrong, please tell me given I have my KM1 Deluxe bricked